Effects of Petroleum Exploration on Woodland Caribou in Northeastern Alberta

1997 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Daryll M. Hebert
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Energetic implications of disturbance caused by petroleum exploration to woodland caribou

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1319-1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey JA Bradshaw ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Daryll M Hebert
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Loss Modelling ◽  
Northeastern Alberta ◽  
Possible Cause

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Alberta are classified as endangered and apparently have declined. Disturbance from petroleum exploration has been implicated as a possible cause, so we constructed a simple model to estimate the energy costs of multiple encounters with disturbance (i.e., loud noise). Our objective was to estimate if woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta have been exposed to enough disturbance from 1988 to 1993 to cause winter mass loss to exceed either (i) 15% autumn mass or (ii) 20% autumn mass. A single disturbance event costs caribou 3.46-5.81 MJ. Caribou would have to encounter (i) 20-34 (mean = 27) disturbance events to lose >15% mass over winter and (ii) 41-137 (mean = 89) events to lose >20% mass. There were five occasions from 1988 to 1993 (i.e., in a particular caribou distribution zone and winter) when the encounter rate (number of potential encounters per square kilometre) exceeded a level expected to result in caribou losing more than the estimated mean 15% autumn mass. There were four occasions when the encounter rate exceeded the lower limit expected to cause >20% mass loss and one occasion when it approached the mean rate expected to cause >20% mass loss. Modelling the cumulative influence of disturbances demonstrates an effect on individual energy loss during winter at certain exploration intensities. It is the first attempt at estimating the consequences of petroleum exploration for wildlife in northeastern Alberta and provides important information for future research and land-use management.

scholarly journals A Cooperative Industry - Government Woodland Caribou Research Program in Northeastern Alberta

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Blair Rippin ◽  
Colin Edey ◽  
Daryl Hebert ◽  
Jeff Kneteman
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Northeastern Alberta ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Exploration And Development

Rapid development of large scale logging and increasingly intensive petroleum exploration and development in northeastern Alberta prompted the establishment of a cooperative research program to investigate various aspects of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) biology. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop an effective plan that will ensure the long term survival of caribou while allowing for renewable and non-renewable resource development. There are three parts to the program. Part I began early in 1991 and makes use of conventional radio telemetry as a means of recording various parameters of general caribou biology. The study area encompasses approximately 4000 km2 of low relief, boreal mixedwood forest. Preliminary results from 2500 radio locations (involving 50 individuals) indicate that woodland caribou inhabiting the study area are non-migratory and are strongly associated with some of the more scarce peatland forest types present in the area. Investigations to document the basic biology and ecology will continue for another two years. Part II began in early 1993 as a part of a two-year investigation into the disturbance effects of petroleum exploration and development on caribou movements and behaviour. One objective of this study is to develop a predictive model useful in determining the cumulative effects of varying intensities of disturbance on caribou. Part III began in early 1994 with a proposed three-year investigation to determine the mechanism of spatial and temporal separation of caribou and moose in the study area. These relationships may indicate the means by which caribou minimize the impact of wolf predation on their populations in northeastern Alberta. Results will be applied to industrial land use and specifically to large scale forest harvesting planned for the area. The research program is supported through cooperative funding contributed by 24 petroleum companies, 1 forest company, 2 peat companies and the Alberta Departments of Environmental Protection and Energy. The research aspect of the program has been developed and implemented by staff of the University of Alberta, Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries, the Alberta Fish and Wildlife and Forest Services and the Alberta Environmental Centre. The program also incorporates a public information and liaison function. Newsletters, information videos, brochures and public consultation are the means used to accomplish this task.

Woodland Caribou Relative to Landscape Patterns in Northeastern Alberta

1997 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 622 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kari Stuart-Smith ◽  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Daryll M. Hebert ◽  
A. Blair Rippin
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

If You Build It, Will They Come? Caribou Habitat Restoration for Pipeline Projects

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Coupal ◽  
Paula Bentham
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Landscape Fragmentation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Recovery Strategy ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

The federal Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population in Canada, identifies coordinated actions to reclaim woodland caribou habitat as a key step to meeting current and future caribou population objectives. Actions include restoring industrial landscape features such as roads, seismic lines, pipelines, cut-lines, and cleared areas in an effort to reduce landscape fragmentation and the changes in caribou population dynamics associated with changing predator-prey dynamics in highly fragmented landscapes. Reliance on habitat restoration as a recovery action within the federal Recovery Strategy is high, identifying 65% undisturbed habitat in a caribou range as the threshold to providing a 60% chance that a local population will be self-sustaining. In alignment with the federal Recovery Strategy, Alberta’s Provincial Woodland Caribou Policy identifies habitat restoration as a critical component of long-term caribou habitat management. Habitat restoration initiatives of Alberta’s historical industrial footprint within caribou ranges began in 2001 and have largely focused on linear corridors, including pipelines. Initiatives include revegetation treatments, access control programs and studies, and restricting the growth of plant species that are favourable to moose and deer, the primary prey for wolves. Habitat restoration for pipelines also includes pre-construction planning to reduce disturbance and create line-of-sight breaks, and construction techniques that promote natural vegetation recovery. Lessons learned from habitat restoration programs implemented on pipeline projects in northeastern Alberta will be shared as an opportunity to improve common understanding of restoration techniques, the barriers to implementation, and potential outcomes.

Movement responses by wolves to industrial linear features and their effect on woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2854-2865 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. David M. Latham ◽  
M. Cecilia Latham ◽  
Mark S. Boyce ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Linear Features ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Winter peatland habitat selection by woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 1567-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Daryll M. Hebert ◽  
A. Blair Rippin
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Habitat Diversity ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Raised Bog ◽  
Very High Frequency ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Raised Bogs ◽  
Discontinuous Permafrost ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta are relatively sedentary, occur at low densities, and are classed as endangered in Alberta. Increasing encroachment of the forest and petroleum industries into the southern regions of the boreal woodland caribou range has highlighted the need for detailed habitat analysis for this species. We obtained approximately 1000 locations of 47 woodland caribou fitted with very high frequency telemetry collars, providing data on winter habitat use from 1991 to 1994. Telemetry data were combined with digital peatland coverages that best represented lowland habitat diversity. Woodland caribou selected forested fen peatland complexes at both the population and individual spatial scales. Woodland caribou concentrated feeding activity in forested, raised bog islands. The raised bogs provide more xeric substrate for increased lichen biomass, possibly a key factor in their selection during winter. The hypothesized connection between discontinuous permafrost and the maintenance of raised bog islands in terms of caribou forage distribution and availability is discussed.

scholarly journals Habitat use by caribou in northern Alberta, Canada

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Schneider ◽  
B. Wynes ◽  
S. Wasel ◽  
E. Dzus ◽  
H. Hiltz
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Habitat Mapping ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Entire Region ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Northeastern Alberta ◽  
Northern Alberta

Habitat mapping and habitat supply assessment have been identified as key elements of the Alberta Woodland Caribou Conservation Strategy. Previous studies from northeastern Alberta have shown that caribou select lowland habitat types and avoid upland. The objectives of our study were to determine whether these selection patterns are consistent across all of northern Alberta and to generate a map of habitat suitability for the entire region. Our database included over 11 000 radiotelemetry locations collected over six years from caribou across northern Alberta. We also had available a recently revised map of peatlands for the entire province. We found that polygons in the peatland map containing greater than 30% bog were selected by caribou. Fens were also selected, but not as strongly as bogs. Habitat polygons containing greater than 50% non-peat were avoided. These findings were consistent among all regions studied, and among years. The proportion of caribou relocations declined exponentially with distance from polygons classified as peatlands. Based on the observed selection patterns, we reclassified the peatland map to reflect the potential suitability of habitat for caribou across northern Alberta.

Habitat selection and spatial relationships of black bears (Ursus americanus) with woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in northeastern Alberta

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D.M. Latham ◽  
M.C. Latham ◽  
M.S. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ursus Americanus ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Spatial Relationships ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Northeastern Alberta

Populations of woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) have declined across much of their range. Wolves ( Canis lupus L., 1758) are believed to be responsible for the majority of mortality in adult female caribou; however, we hypothesize that other predators such as black bears ( Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) may be important contributors to calf mortality. We assessed habitat selection by black bears and spatial relationships of caribou – black bears during the caribou calving season in northeastern Alberta, Canada. Black bears avoided bogs and fens, while selecting upland mixed woods and various industrial features. Conversely, caribou showed strong selection for bogs and fens relative to bears, supporting the hypothesis that caribou in the boreal forest attempt to minimize predation risk by selecting peatlands to avoid areas frequented by predators. However, habitat selection by individual black bears was highly variable and some bears selected habitats similar to those selected by caribou, i.e., bogs and fens. Bears that specialize on foraging in peatlands might be responsible for some of the predation on caribou calves. Because declines in caribou populations have resulted from a combination of high adult female and calf mortalities, management actions to conserve woodland caribou should consider the entire suite of potential predators rather than focusing only on wolves.

Quantifying barrier effects of roads and seismic lines on movements of female woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J Dyer ◽  
Jack P O'Neill ◽  
Shawn M Wasel ◽  
Stan Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Road Ecology ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Animal Movement Models ◽  
Northeastern Alberta ◽  
Seismic Lines

Linear developments such as roads, seismic lines, and pipeline rights-of-way are common anthropogenic features in the boreal forest of Alberta. These features may act as barriers to the movement of threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Thirty-six woodland caribou were captured and fitted with global positioning system collars. These collared caribou yielded 43 415 locations during the 12-month study period. We compared rates of crossing roads and seismic lines with rates at which caribou crossed simulated roads and seismic lines created using ArcInfo GIS. Seismic lines were not barriers to caribou movements, whereas roads with moderate vehicle traffic acted as semipermeable barriers to caribou movements. The greatest barrier effects were evident during late winter, when caribou crossed actual roads 6 times less frequently than simulated road networks. Semipermeable barrier effects may exacerbate functional habitat loss demonstrated through avoidance behaviour. This novel approach represents an important development in the burgeoning field of road ecology and has great potential for use in validating animal-movement models.

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